Wall ventilator



Sept. 22, 1959 c osw 2,905,072

WALL VENTILATOR Filed Oct. 21, 1957 V y- 8 6 w? 7 T :5 4

v g Q ,65 4 a ,3

Q 5 BY L; *"M

United States Patent WALL VENTILATOR Anthony C. Oswald, Sioux Falls, S. Dak.

Application October 21, 1957, Serial No. 691,374

1 Claim. (CI. 98-29) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in ventilators particularly for insulated frame wall structures of the type comprising clapboarding or weatherboarding and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means for preventing the condensation and accumulation of moisture in such walls.

Another important object of the invention is to pro- Vide a wall ventilator of the character described which includes novel means for excluding vermin.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a wall ventilator of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, inconspicuous, of light weight and which may be manufactured and installed at low cost.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in front elevation of a wall structure equipped with a ventilator embodying the present invention, portions being broken away;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view in transverse section, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an end portion of the device, showing the vermin excluding screen removed from the panel.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that reference character 4 designates generally a frame wall structure comprising clapboards 5 mounted on sheathing 6, insulation 7 spaced from said sheathing, etc. The sheathing 6 and the insulation 7 are mounted on the usual studs 8.

The embodiment of the present invention which has been illustrated comprises an elongated panel or plate 9 of any suitable length and of a width corresponding to that of the clapboards 5. The plate 9 is of 24-gauge galvanized iron, aluminum or any other suitable material.

Formed integrally with the lower edge of the plate 9 is a longitudinally extending trough 10 back of said plate. The bottom 11 of the trough 10 is provided at longitudinally spaced points with ventilating holes 12. The trough 10 further includes an inturned top flange 13.

Mounted in the trough 10 is a bronze or copper screen 14 of substantially U-shaped transverse section which me 2,905,072 Fatented Sept. 22, 1959 vents the entrance of vermin through the holes 12. One of the longitudinal edges of the screen 14 is engaged beneath the flange 13 for retaining said screen in the trough 10.

To install the ventilator, one of the clapboards 5 at the desired location is partly removed with the exception of an upper longitudinal portion thereof, as indicated at 15.

Longitudinally elongated openings 16 are then formed at spaced points in the portion of the sheathing 6 which is thus exposed. The upper longitudinal portion of the plate 9 is then inserted upwardly between the clapboard portion 15, which now functions as a spacer for said plate, and the lower longitudinal marginal portion of the superjacent clapboard 5. The plate 9 may be secured in position in any suitable manner. The trough 10 spaces the lower portion of the plate 9 from the subjacent clapboard 5. With the ventilator thus installed air from the outside flows upwardly through the holes 12 behind the plate 9, thence through the openings 16 into the interior of the Wall structure 4 where it circulates and prevents the condensation and accumulation of any moisture that may be present in an obvious manner. When painted the same color as the clapboards 5, the ventilator is substantially unnoticeable. Of course, as many of the ventilators as may be desired or necessary may be installed on the wall. To mount the substantially U- shaped screen 14 in the trough 10, said screen is compressed, inserted in said trough and snapped under the retaining flange 13.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A wall ventilator comprising a horizontally elongated plate for mounting in a wall in longitudinal upright position to lap a pair of contiguous upper and lower vertically spaced horizontal weatherboards, said plate having a top portion adapted to underlap a bottom portion of the upper weatherboard and also having a bottom portion adapted to overlap a top portion of the lower weatherboard, said plate having a bottom longitudinal back trough thereon adapted to engage the lower weatherboard and space the plate from said lower weatherboard, said trough having bottom ventilating holes spaced longitudinally thereof and an inturned top edge flange, and an elongated screen of substantially U-shape in cross-section mounted in said trough to prevent vermin from entering said trough through said holes, said screen being engaged beneath said flange for retention in said trough.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 632,691 Bates Sept. 12, 1899 1,651,071 Scheppers Nov. 29, 1927 2,530,919 Taylor Nov. 21, 1950 

